Policy Regarding Extensions for Completion of MSW Course Work
Please note that this policy is currently under review. All student petitions are now handled by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies through an appeals process.
Preamble
The general expectation within the Faculty is that course work will be completed on time; however, it is acknowledged that circumstances arise where students find themselves unable to complete required course work due to legitimate personal reasons. Thus, the Faculty expects that seeking an extension for course work may be necessary from time to time. The Faculty also points to the fact that responsible use of such extensions is required to make the process work well. In that case, the following policy will describe how the process and system of extensions for completion of course work will operate.
Student’s Responsibility
Students should consult with the instructor when they become aware of problems completing course work. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the course work by the due date, or to apply for extensions prior to the expiry of the due date when necessary. If a passing grade is not reported to the Registrar of the Faculty of Social Work within seven (7) days of the date the extension expires, the Incomplete grade may automatically be converted to an F.
Level 1 extension (No paper work required)
Assignments are expected to be completed by the date specified by the instructor. Under unusual* circumstances, the instructor, in consultation with the student, may agree to an extension of the due date to a date that will allow the instructor to submit a grade no later than the last day of the term (see the current Graduate Studies calendar for the exact date).
Level 2 extension (Requiring the student and the instructor to complete the Request for Extension of Course Work form.
Under exceptional* circumstances, if the course work is not completed by the last day of the term, the instructor may agree, in consultation with the student, to an Incomplete designation instead of a final grade. To implement a Level 2 extension, the student and the instructor must complete the “Request for Extension to Complete Course Work”. This signed form must be submitted along with the final grade sheet for the course to the FSW Registrar. A copy of the signed form will be sent to the MSW Coordinator. This will allow an extension no later than the end of the first month of the next term (for the Fall term it is January 31st, for the Winter term it is May 31st, and for the Spring term it is September 30th).
Level 3 extension (Requiring a petition by the student to the MSW Coordinator)
If under very exceptional circumstances, an additional extension is warranted, the student may request an extension until no later than the end of the next term. For the Fall term it is April 30th, for the Winter term it is August 31st, and for the Spring term it is December 31st. The student must complete the Application for Petition to the MSW Curriculum and Petitions Committee. Following consultation with the instructor, the MSW Coordinator may authorize this extension.
Level 4 extension (Requiring a petition by the student to the Dean of Graduate Studies)
The Dean of Graduate Studies must approve any extension beyond one term. To apply for this type of extension, the student must send to the MSW Coordinator a written request for the extension, giving the reasons why it is required and indicating the additional time needed. Following consultation with the instructor, the MSW Coordinator will indicate in writing whether or not the request for extension is supported, and forward the request to the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Appeals
Denial of an extension that may be authorized by instructors can be appealed to the MSW Curriculum and Petitions Committee. The second level of appeal is the Petitions Committee of the Graduate Faculty Council. The Senate Student Appeals Committee functions as the highest level of appeal.
* Unusual and exceptional circumstances include a wide range of situations. They may involve a variety of personal circumstances, for example, illness or bereavement, and/or issues of equity.
The general expectation within the Faculty is that course work will be completed on time; however, it is acknowledged that circumstances arise where students find themselves unable to complete required course work due to legitimate personal reasons. Thus, the Faculty expects that seeking an extension for course work may be necessary from time to time. The Faculty also points to the fact that responsible use of such extensions is required to make the process work well. In that case, the following policy will describe how the process and system of extensions for completion of course work will operate.
Student’s Responsibility
Students should consult with the instructor when they become aware of problems completing course work. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the course work by the due date, or to apply for extensions prior to the expiry of the due date when necessary. If a passing grade is not reported to the Registrar of the Faculty of Social Work within seven (7) days of the date the extension expires, the Incomplete grade may automatically be converted to an F.
Level 1 extension (No paper work required)
Assignments are expected to be completed by the date specified by the instructor. Under unusual* circumstances, the instructor, in consultation with the student, may agree to an extension of the due date to a date that will allow the instructor to submit a grade no later than the last day of the term (see the current Graduate Studies calendar for the exact date).
Level 2 extension (Requiring the student and the instructor to complete the Request for Extension of Course Work form.
Under exceptional* circumstances, if the course work is not completed by the last day of the term, the instructor may agree, in consultation with the student, to an Incomplete designation instead of a final grade. To implement a Level 2 extension, the student and the instructor must complete the “Request for Extension to Complete Course Work”. This signed form must be submitted along with the final grade sheet for the course to the FSW Registrar. A copy of the signed form will be sent to the MSW Coordinator. This will allow an extension no later than the end of the first month of the next term (for the Fall term it is January 31st, for the Winter term it is May 31st, and for the Spring term it is September 30th).
Level 3 extension (Requiring a petition by the student to the MSW Coordinator)
If under very exceptional circumstances, an additional extension is warranted, the student may request an extension until no later than the end of the next term. For the Fall term it is April 30th, for the Winter term it is August 31st, and for the Spring term it is December 31st. The student must complete the Application for Petition to the MSW Curriculum and Petitions Committee. Following consultation with the instructor, the MSW Coordinator may authorize this extension.
Level 4 extension (Requiring a petition by the student to the Dean of Graduate Studies)
The Dean of Graduate Studies must approve any extension beyond one term. To apply for this type of extension, the student must send to the MSW Coordinator a written request for the extension, giving the reasons why it is required and indicating the additional time needed. Following consultation with the instructor, the MSW Coordinator will indicate in writing whether or not the request for extension is supported, and forward the request to the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Appeals
Denial of an extension that may be authorized by instructors can be appealed to the MSW Curriculum and Petitions Committee. The second level of appeal is the Petitions Committee of the Graduate Faculty Council. The Senate Student Appeals Committee functions as the highest level of appeal.
* Unusual and exceptional circumstances include a wide range of situations. They may involve a variety of personal circumstances, for example, illness or bereavement, and/or issues of equity.
